Optical disc advertising label and method

ABSTRACT

An optical disc advertising and security method that includes the use of a promotional label that is coaxially aligned and adhesively attached to the top surface of an optical disc. The promotional label includes an upper label layer and a lower label layer. Printed on the top layer surface of each label layer is promotional indicia. In one embodiment, the upper label layer is slightly larger in diameter or the same diameter as the lower label layer so that the lower label is covered and unable to be removed directly from the optical disc when the container is initially opened by a consumer. In a second embodiment, the promotional label is made of two label layers permanently adhesively attached together with a RFID tag disposed between them.

This is a division patent application which is based on U.S. Utilitypatent application Ser. No. 11/485/696 filed on Jul. 13, 2006 which wasbased on the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/699,423 filed on Jul.13, 2005

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to marketing and advertising methods and moreparticularly to such methods used with optical disc media.

2. Description of the Related Art

Audio optical discs are often distributed in plastic containers, calledjewel boxes. Jewel boxes typically include a transparent plastic frontand back leaves that are pivotally connected together along one edge.Formed along the top and bottom edges and on the inside surface of thefront leaf are small ears designed to hold a flat card or booklet on thefront leaf that can be seen when the container is closed.

Recently, video game and movie manufactures have began distributingvideo optical discs in black or dark, plastic, book-like containers,hereinafter called ‘book containers.’ ‘Book containers’ typicallyinclude two leaves connected together with an integrally formed hinge.Formed on the inside surface of the back leaf is a circular, recessedcavity designed to receive a standard 5¼ inch diameter optical disc.Formed centrally in the recessed cavity may be an upward extending pegthat is inserted into the optical disc's spindle hole when the disc isplaced within the recessed cavity.

In the inventor's co-pending provisional patent application, entitled‘Optical Disc Media Container and Marketing Method’ filed on Jan. 14,2005 (Ser. No. 60/644,462), a marketing method is disclosed in which anoptical disc is held in its original orientation inside the outercontainer after being manufactured. An inner cover is placed over theoptical disc when it is placed inside the recessed cavity that preventsthe optical disc from rotating inside the outer container. When theouter container is opened to remove the optical disc, the printedsurface on the optical disc becomes visible and plays an important rolein the overall marketing of the optical disc.

Game and movie optical disc manufacturers typically cover the outersurfaces on the leaves on a ‘box container’ with advertisements. Suchadvertisements are covered by a thick, transparent plastic film designedto protect and hold the advertisement in place on the surface. Printedon the advertisement may be words or images showing the main characters,or some theme in the game or movie.

Printed on the top surface on an optical disc is the title of the gameor movie, the name of the producer and distributor, the name of theartists or actors, and any trademarks and other promotional elementsassociated with the optical disc. Also printed on the top surface areimages and graphic elements that match or compliment the images andgraphic elements on the outer surfaces on the jewel box or ‘boxcontainer’.

Removable labels that are attached to the outside surface of a retailproduct to help promote the product are very popular. Such labels areprinted in contrasting colors designed to draw the consumer's attentionto the product. Such labels can also be used a redeemable coupons orproof of purchase coupons. They can also be used to promote the sale ofa second product and service usually associated with the product.

Most consumer's initially opening an optical disc container to remove anoptical disc from the container with great interest and anticipation.Because the consumer's attention is already drawn to the optical disc,attaching removable labels over the optical disc that must be removed inorder for the optical disc to be removed from the container would behighly effective.

Theft, of course, is a major problem in the retail industry. One methodused to reduce retail theft is to place a radio frequency identificationdevice, known as an RFID tag, inside the shipping container whichactivates an alarm if taken through a detection zone. Heretofore, RFIDtags have been placed inside the jewel box or inside the ‘box container’to prevent theft of an optical disc. Recently, thieves have discoveredtheir location and are now breaking into the jewel box or ‘boxcontainer’ to remove the optical disc therefrom while inside the retailbusiness.

What is needed is an improved advertising method for optical discsstored in rigid containers that uses a removable label with promotionalindicia printed thereon that selectively attaches to the top surface ofthe optical disc when stored inside a standard jewel box, or boxcontainer. What is also needed is a removable label that includes anoptical RFID tag that must be removed from the disc to avoid detection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedadvertising method for optical discs shipped inside a standard shippingcontainer used with optical discs, such as a paper sleeve, a jewel case,or a book container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removablepromotional label with promotional indicia printed on its top surfacethat adhesively attaches to the non-recorded surface on an optical discwhen placed inside the container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such apromotional label that includes at least two staked label layers eachwith promotional indicia printed thereon, that must sequentially removedfrom the optical disc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such apromotional label that may include an imbedded RFID tag capable of beingdetected by a detection device.

These and other objects are met by an optical disc advertising methodand promotional label disclosed herein that includes at least twostacked label layers designed to removably attach to the top surface ofan optical disc. Attached or formed on the perimeter edge of each labellayer is a laterally extending tab that can be easily grasped to removethe label layer from the optical disc. Printed on the top surface ofeach label layer is a promotional indicia design to enhance sales of theoptical disc or a good or service associated therewith.

In the first embodiment, the promotional label includes two label layersvertically stacked over the top surface of the optical disc. In thepreferred embodiment, the sizes of the lower adhesive label and tabattached thereto are sufficiently smaller so that the upper label layerand tab hides the lower label layer and tab. During use, the upper labellayer must be removed before the lower label layer can be removedthereby forcing the user to view the promotional indicia on each labellayer.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the promotional label includesan upper label layer permanently attached to a lower label layer. Alight adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the lower layerthereby enabling the lower label to be removably attached to the topsurface of an optical disc. Promotional indicia is printed on the topsurface of the upper label layer which is visible to the user whenremoving the optical disc from the container. An RFID tag is disposedand hidden from view between the upper and lower layers to preventtheft.

Using the labels described above, a method of advertising on an opticaldisc is disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an optical disc shown mounted inside astandard optical disc shipping container with a promotional layer madeof two label layers stacked and positioned over the optical disc.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational view of the container taken alongline 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional, side elevational view of a second embodiment ofthe promotional label made of two label layers and a RFID tag placedbetween them.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the Figs., there is shown and described herein an opticaldisc advertising system that includes a promotional label 8 attached toan optical disc 17 that is disposed inside a storage container 10 withtwo pivotally attached leaves 12, 13. The promotional label 8 includestwo label layers 20, 20′ stacked over the top surface 18 of the opticaldisc 17 when stored inside the container 12. Formed on the bottomsurface of each label layer 20, 20′ is an adhesive layer 22, 22′ thattemporarily holds the two label layers 20, 20′ in a stackedconfiguration over the optical disc 17. Attached or formed on theperimeter edges 21, 21′ of the upper and lower label layers 20, 20′ is alaterally extending tab 25, 25′, respectively, that can be easilygrasped to remove the label layers 20, 20′ from the optical disc 17. Inthe preferred embodiment, the tabs 25, 25′ are sufficient in length toextend beyond the perimeter edge of the optical disc 17.

In the preferred embodiment, the body 20A of the upper label layer 20 iscircular with the suitable adhesive 22 attached to the bottom surface ofthe body 20A. An adhesive 22 may or may not be attached to the bottomsurface of the tab 12.

Printed on the front surface of the adhesive label 20, 20′,respectively, are advertisements or other promotional indicia generallyindicated as 24, 24′ designed to enhance sale of the optical disc 17 oran associated product or service.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of adhesive labels 20, 20′ are stackedtogether over the top surface 18 of the optical disc 17. The size of theadhesive labels 20, 20′ and the tabs 25, 25′ are sufficient so that theupper label layer 20 hides the lower label layer 20′ and tab 25′ fromview when the container 10 is opened. The perimeter edges of the lowerlabel layer 20′ and the tab 25′ are covered and hidden by the upperlabel layer 20 and tab 25 so that the upper label layer 20 must be firstremoved from the optical disc 17 in order to remove the lower label 20′.Using multiple labels with different promotional indicia 24 printedthereon, advertisers are able to sell different products and services ona single optical disc 17.

In another embodiment of the promotional label is shown (see FIG. 3) inwhich the lower label layer 42′ is permanently attached to the upperlabel layer 50. Disposed between the two layers 42 and 50 and hiddenfrom view is an RFID tag 60. A light adhesive 54 is applied to thebottom surface of the lower label layer 50 thereby enabling the lowerlabel layer 50 to be easily attached and removes from the top surface ofthe optical disc 17.

Using the above labels, a method of advertising with an optical disc isprovided comprising the following steps:

a. selecting an optical disc with a top surface;

b. inserting said optical disc into a storage container so that said topsurface is visible;

c. selecting a removable lower label with a laterally extending tab andpromotional indicia printed on the top surface thereon;

d. coaxially aligning and attaching said lower label over said topsurface of said optical disc;

e. selecting a removable upper label with a laterally extending tab andpromotional indicia printed on the top surface thereon; and,

f. coaxially aligning and attaching said upper label layer over saidlower label layer thereby requiring said upper label layer to be removedbefore said lower label layer can be removed from said optical disc.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features.It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown, since the means and construction shown iscomprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the inventioninto effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amendedclaims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. An optical disc advertising system comprising: a. an optical disccontainer used to ship and distribute an optical disc to a customer,said optical disc container includes two pivotally attached leaves; b.an optical disc with a top surface, said optical disc being disposedinside said container so that said top surface is visible when saidcontainer is opened; and, c. a promotional label disposed coaxiallyaligned over said optical disc, said promotional label including anupper label layer and a lower label layer coaxially aligned stacked andadhesively attached together, said upper label layer being either thesame size or larger than said lower layer thereby preventing said lowerlabel from being directly or viewed when said optical disc container isopened.
 2. The advertising system as recited in claim 1, furtherincluding a laterally extended tab attached to each said upper and lowerlabel layer.
 3. The advertising system, as recited in claim 1, furtherincluding an anti-theft device disposed between said upper and lowerlabel layers.
 4. The optical disc advertisement system, as recited inclaim 3, wherein said anti-theft device is a RFID tag.
 5. The opticaldisc advertisement system, as recited in claim 1, further including alaterally extending tab attached to said lower label layer.
 6. Theoptical disc advertisement system, as recited in claim 1, furtherincluding promotional indicia printed on said top surface of said lowerlabel layer.